Our history
In 1965, our founder Hermann Graser Senior used a tax refund of 500 deutschmarks to set up a stone masonry company on his parents' land in Trossenfurt in the Steigerwald forest.
The company grew steadily, and in 1968/1969 a plant for natural stone processing was erected on an area of 7 000 m² in the neighbouring village of Tretzendorf. This, too, reached the limits of its capacity by the eighties, and therefore in 1985/86 the current premises in Bamberg were built and work there commenced. Since then, we have continued to expand, to keep our state-of-the-art machinery fully up to date, and to pursue innovative solutions.
Our first quarry was also purchased in the eighties to get an independent and reliable raw material supply. At the beginning of the nineties we established branches in the former eastern part of Germany. In 2012 we purchased all the quarries and the machinery equipment of Naturstein Vetter GmbH, and as a result we are now extracting high-quality sandstones and granites from over 20 own quarries.
Since 2009 the company is run by managing directors Hermann Graser Junior and Martin Graser, both sons of Hermann Graser Senior. Hermann Graser Junior concluded his training as a master craftsman in masonry and stone sculpture in 1999 with the Meisterpreis der Bayerischen Staatsregierung, a prestigious award from the Bavarian state government. In May 2000, he qualified as a state-certified conservator in the field of stone masonry and stone sculpture. Martin Graser completed his studies of business administration (with a particular focus on enterprise management) at the Leipzig Graduate School of Management (Handelshochschule Leipzig, or HHL) in 2001 with distinction. So, in the management craftsmanship and business thinking go hand in hand.
The managing directors are supported by the managers Dietmar Finzel, Alfons Schwinn and Peter Hofmann and the company's 130 employees.
1964
Hermann Graser Senior qualifies as a master stone mason
Hermann Graser Senior passes the examinations for his master mason´s diploma in stone masonry and stone sculpture at the age of 26.
1965
Founding of the company
Hermann Graser sets up his stone masonry company in Trossenfurt in the Steigerwald forest.
1966
Creation of ten jobs
After only a year, ten stone masons are working for the company.
1968/69
New plant in Tretzendorf
Once a site had been acquired in Tretzendorf in the Steigerwald forest, production halls, a storage area for rough quarry blocks and an office building are erected on an area of 7 000 m².
Until 1983
continued company growth
The number of employees increases to 45 stone masons, mainly as a result of apprentices being trained. The site in Tretzendorf is now too small for the expanding company.
1983 to 1985
Acquisition of a site, planning and the start of construction of the new premises in Bamberg
During this period, the next major step is taken. Land in Bamberg's industrial district is acquired, and the construction of one of the most modern stone-processing plants in Germany commences.
1984
Opening of Gereuth Quarry
Extraction of Gereuther Schloss Sandstein (yellow sandstone), which is now abandoned.
1986
Production starts at our Bamberg site
In June 1986 a topping-out ceremony takes place to celebrate the completion of our new office and staff facilities building. At the same time, production in the first finished production hall starts.
1986
Company renamed "Bamberg Natursteinwerk Hermann Graser"
1987 to 1991
Expansion of the Bamberg site
The company moves into the office building and increases its processing and storage capacities. One of the most modern plants for processing natural stone in Germany is erected on a site of approx. 30 000 m².
1991
Dresden branch established
1991
Opening of Friedewald Köhlerholz Quarry
Deposit of Friedewalder Sandstein (light-grey and pale-red sandstone).
1992
Potsdam branch established
An office building including workshop and storage facilities is erected.
1997
Company renamed "Bamberger Natursteinwerk Hermann Graser GmbH & Co. KG"
1997/1998
Opening of “Alte Poste” Quarry
Deposit of Postaer Sandstein "Alte Poste" (yellow-brown sandstone).
1996 to 2001
Complete modernisation of machinery pool in the Bamberg plant
Replacement of all bridge saws with new ones, most of it CNC controlled, specifically for the prefabrication of large natural stone workpieces.
2002/2003
Opening of Friedewald Hutweide Quarry
Additional deposit of Friedewalder Sandstein (light-grey and pale-red sandstone).
2003
Acquisition of the Rossberg Quarry
The largest deposit of Mainsandstein, weiß-grau (white-grey sandstone) is taken over from Bayerische Schleifsteinwerke Ankenbrandt, a company founded in 1851.
2004
Entry in the Board of Directors
Hermann Graser Junior (master stone mason and stone sculptor, state-examined stone technician, conservator in stone masonry and stone sculpture) and Martin Graser (business administration graduate, Dipl.-Kaufmann) join the management board.
2007
Installation of Germany's first stone processing robot
In cooperation with Augsburg-based Kuka Roboter GmbH, we test the first robot for stone processing in Germany.
2008
Acquisition of the Rockenau and Gaimühle Quarries
The deposits of Neckartäler Hartsandstein (red and red-white sandstone) are taken over from Karl Schmelzer GmbH & Co. KG, Eberbach.
2009/10
Hermann Graser Junior and Martin Graser become partners
Transfer of operational activities to Bamberger Natursteinwerk Hermann Graser GmbH. Original company renamed Graser Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbh & Co. KG.
2010
Installation of a photovoltaic system
The third-largest photovoltaic system in the area covered by the utility company Stadtwerke Bamberg, with a peak output of 520 kW, is installed on the roofs of the production halls in Bamberg by Graser Solarstrom GbR.
2011
Installation of two additional stone-processing robots
Our development work in the field of automated natural stone processing leads to the installation of two additional robots for stone processing. We pioneer the automated manufacturing of complex workpieces with robots in Germany.
2011
Construction of a storage building and expansion of the photovoltaic system
Investing in a storage building in Bamberg provides a chance to extend the photovoltaic system, which now has a peak output of 660 kW. Now the complete processing operation, including the production of Grasamit restoration and jointing mortar, can take place in a single location.
2012
Purchase of all quarries and machinery held by Naturstein Vetter GmbH
After Naturstein Vetter GmbH, a local major competitor, shuts down its operative business in June 2012, we purchase all the company’s quarries, its complete inventory and all its stone-processing machinery in September 2012. This resulted in the significant expansion of the resources at our disposal, so that we are now able to quarry also granite. Overall, we now have 21 quarries, from which we extract 15 different materials.
2012
Acquisition of the Schönbrunn-Hermannsberg Quarry
Deposit of Mainsandstein, weiß-grau (white-grey sandstone).
2012
Acquisition of the Hahnbruch Quarry
A further deposit of Mainsandstein, weiß-grau, Hahnbruch (white-grey sandstone).
2012
Acquisition of the Kellerbruch Quarry
Further deposit of Mainsandstein, weiß-grau (white-grey sandstone).
2012
Acquisition of the Schlossbrunnenbruch Quarry
Deposit of Epprechtstein Granit (grey, grey-yellow and yellow granite).
2012
Acquisition of the Heilgersdorf quarry
Deposit of the Heilgersdorfer Sandstein (yellow sandstone), which is now abandoned.
